Music, Games, Comedy and Pitches. Oh My!

ManiaTV has re-focused their programming and they are getting Cable TV numbers. Now let's see if they can get Cable TV CPMs. I had a chance at Digital Hollywood to speak with Peter Hoskins, CEO of ManiaTV and he told me that they are now in the music, video game and comedy business and that they are now looking for original video content from independent producers. He also explains how you can contact ManiaTV for pitches.

What New Online Video Formats Are Emerging?

In the 1930's and 40's people experimented with creating shows and ad models that would work to make money with the new technology called Television. Radio was king and all the top paid talent like Bob Hope worked on radio shows while new and undiscovered talent tried to hammer out new formats and business models for television.

Sound familiar?

As Television started to take hold radio programs migrated over to TV in the same formats they had been presented in radio but they experience wasn't as good as it was on radio.

Still sound familiar?

Soon new formats developed that took advantage of what Television had to offer and as more smart people from radio learned what worked and what didn't work on TV programs like Twilight Zone were produced and Television got better and better and audiences developed in critical mass. Then people made money. Lots of money.

My Damn Channel's You Suck at Photoshop recently won two Webby Awards - A People's Voice Award for Comedy Long Form or Series and one for HOW-TO AND DIY. You Suck at Photoshop should have won for Best New Online Video Format but I don't think that was a category...yet.

You Suck At Photoshop is a new online video format that breaks new ground by using old theater of the mind tricks from radio and a well crafted comedy subtext story. If you haven't seen You Suck at Photoshop don't be scared that you are going to see a "How To" on Photoshop even though they do cover valuable information about the photo manipulation software but that is not what this online video is about.

You Suck at Photoshop is a breakthrough comedy is presented as a "How To" screencast video series but what it really is, is a trip through the life of a designer who has lost his wife of seven years and is trying to cope with it by teaching Photoshop to strangers online.

You Suck at Photoshop is pure genius. I hope to meet the real "Fat Brian" sometime in the near future. Maybe at the New Media Expo in Las Vegas?

Do Old Popular Independent Websites Have Game?

Everyone wants in on the online video game. Movie Studios and Television networks are all trying to get a piece of the viral video game but do the old independent websites like FARK and College Humor that have been around for a while have a chance?

Watch World of Wifecraft and tell me what you think. Don't pull a Leroy Jenkins.



And check out Board Game Murder Mystery

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

Information, Sex and Comedy

Information, Sex and Comedy are great tools for building a viral video series and the Midwest Teen Sex Show has them all. I expect this Online Series to win many awards and turn into a big brand.